Nikki Tibbles’ Notting Hill home is as bright and colourful as her blossoming floristry business Wild at Heart. Between dog walks on Hampstead Heath and planning for the future of her charitable Wild at Heart Foundation, she took the time to reflect on life in lockdown, her favourite Christmas traditions and the things that make her home, home.
Friends, favourite rooms and festive traditions: In Conversation with Florist Nikki Tibbles
Where is home for you?
Notting Hill, London
What does your typical daily routine look like?
Up at 7am, pile my dogs into the car and drive to Hampstead Heath with a black earl grey tea and a vegan protein bar and walk for 90 mins. I then rush home, shower, check my emails and go to meeting after meeting after meeting.
What’s the style of your home interiors?
Collectic, colourful, bright, floral
Do you have a favourite room in your home? Why?
The ground-floor TV room, in front of the roaring fire. It’s dark and cosy in winter. In summer, I like to lay on the sofa in my first-floor living room reading a gripping novel.
Any easy ways we can refresh our interiors for winter?
Change your linens to blankets. Change your cushion covers, rugs and curtains. Put them in storage and bring them back out with the seasons.
You’ve got a day to spend at home with no obligations or distractions. What would we find you doing?
Working on the Wild at Heart Foundation and drinking tea. I’d spend the evening catching up with friends over dinner.
Many of us have been reimagining our interiors and gardens during lockdown. What design changes, if any, did you make to your home?
I didn’t really do any home improvements, but I did buy lots of new plants from Wild at Heart for the garden. I also cleared the balcony at the back of the house so I could make the most of the glorious summer we had.
What was your big takeaway from spending so much time at home?
I didn't bake banana bread or redecorate… like everyone else! I realised I have a beautiful house and I learnt how to be by myself – it was a real joy to spend some quality time with my dogs. The best thing about lockdown was (virtually) planning for the future with my team. I spent most days working on strategy for both my flower business and foundation so we could come back bigger, better and stronger.
What’s the most magical thing about Christmas?
Spending time with friends. Especially this year.
Any favourite traditions?
I usually spend Christmas at my house in the country. On Christmas eve, you’ll find me having supper in the pub before midnight mass. I get up early on Christmas day, open stockings and go for a really long walk with friends. Back home, we eat a lovely breakfast, light the fire and open presents before cooking lunch. I make everyone snowball cocktails with champagne and brandy… which often leads to a late lunch!
There seem to be two types of people when it comes to preparing for Christmas: those who are super-organised and start planning around October, and those who do a mad dash! Which category do you fall in?
When it comes to decorating my home I'm very organised, but when it comes to shopping and buying Christmas gifts I'm very disorganised.
Where do you hope to be for Christmas this year?
With my best friends and godchildren in Norfolk. I can't wait to spend Christmas by the beach this year.
What does Christmas at home look like for you? Do you have certain pieces that emerge, or rearrange your interiors at all?
I cover the front of the house with American-style decorations like “ho ho ho” and a Santa stuck up the chimney. Then I have reindeer on the drive and big christmas trees outside strung with lights. Always a Wild at Heart wreath on the front door.
Real or fake Christmas tree?
Real, always potted.
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There’s nothing like a Wild at Heart arrangement to get you in the festive spirit/ to make a home feel like home. Call +44 20 7229 1174 for more details.